Press Release

April 9, 2016

The Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth-Belt (BIG-B) Initiative

Dhaka, 09 April 2016

Today on April 09, 2016 the seminar titled "The Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth-Belt (BIG-B) Initiative" was held in Dhaka. The seminar has been organized on the eve of first anniversary of the Investment Climate Improvement (ICI) project, which started in April, 2015. ICI project is an agreement between Bangladesh and Japan for technical cooperation. On this special occasion, Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Secretary, was present as the Chief Guest and Ms. Suraiya Begum, Secretary, PMO, FBCCI President Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad and Mr. Mikio Hataeda Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office were present as Special Guests.

In the seminar, all the participants emphasized upon the necessity of creating an investment friendly environment in Bangladesh. The Chief Guest and other Special Guests have pointed out that it is very important to fulfill the objective of this project i.e. improving the Investment climate in Bangladesh through removing obstacles, improving the procedures of investment and revealing the Attractiveness of Bangladesh to encourage FDI and domestic private investors for further economic growth. Moreover, the Seminar has come up with the conclusion that an improved investment climate will play a contributory role for Bangladesh in becoming a developed country by the year 2041.

Guest Speaker from Japan Mr. Noburo Aoki, General Manager, New Market Planning Office, Overseas Operation Division, KAJIMA Corporation has given the presentation on "Urban Development through PPP". Mr. Naoyuki Maekawa, JICA Senior Advisor for Investment Climate Improvement has given the main presentation "Investment climate Improvement for BIG-B, Proposal from WG for ICI".